The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-11-23

lne ciatler ol NOUS ut-eut' 'ct h"'
I dreams of the old farmer He sprane TO
the window. but only to catch an indis-
I tinct vision Of something. glanced at the
clock. murmured confendetly of ha''ing
an hour before going for Nellie, and set
tied himself for another nap.
Little idea bad he that bis only child
and cr,sily -tsed were indnlging in the
widest Of races under ky lighted a.
l,y the flames Of hell and surrounded 10y
its fire.
The switchman saw the girl as she flew
past saw the swift galloping horse, the
rider with her long hair streaming in the
wind, the horse as if breathing smoke
saw without recognition, and supersti-
tiously imagined that the ghost of some
red child of the wilderness. whose bones
had been disturbed in building of the
iron track of the pale face, WAS out for
midnight revel.
For considerable distance the road
was over the undulating prairie, and both
horse and rider enjoyed the race; then
they were forced upon the ties, and the
heavily shod hoofs clatier d along the
bridges, then they left il and plunged
upon narrow thread of beaten earth,
with FIRE swiftly rushing toward ii from
either side.
The horse brave aud blooded as he was
hesitated. as well he might; but the hand
Of the rider was firm and the whip mer-
ciless A brief hour had transformed the
gentle girl into woman maddened by
love and superior danger. The one idea
that had taken possession of brain and
pulsed heart remained permanent. John
King WAS in danger Of being consumed
She must save him Or
And very soon the horse became mad
as well With long and seemingly tire
less strides he stretched himself His
dark skin was hecked with foam, his
sides were heaving like bellows, like es-
Gaping steam his breath was blown, his
ewes were rel with exertion aud his
frame irembled with excitement
On, on they pressed, on thus tar in lit
tle danger, for the fire WAS yet at a dis
iance. Ba every moment it came nearer,
nearer closed upon them ami blazing
sparks fell like rain
ON, on, and the flames ieapcd upward
and at times closed over their heads;
they were rushing As through tunnel of
kissing. roaring lire lit was erowding in
upon them, was beneath their feet, was
rlaying in fantastic shapes around and
above them.
Mad a. the girl was with desire TO see
her lover, the horrors Of the situation
were forced upon her brain. She bowed
her head to the fiery storm. shielded her
face and often extinguished her blazing
dress spoke encouragngly TO the horse,
patted his quivering neck, used the deep
cutting lash, cutting hundred times
more cruelty, for her sides were cracking
with the hea and the blood was oozing
from the blistered wounds.
. vi, Sill ttis put liOtt-oithiN aA WI
stride. with steps less firm and secure,
breath more scant, courage less high and
pace less swift Never vet steed that
could long bear such fearful strain new
er flesh that could resist prairie fire
with hundreds of acres Of dry, tall grass
and reeds for fuel, famed by strong
gale.
On The girl shielded her eyes with
her trembling hands. and above the
suloke saw the waving of trees. As vet
the furious fire I'D not reached at least,
not penetrated them There was life,
safety, and more than all, love Gould
she reach them? A scanty half mile yet
to be Travelled. Instinct, often as clear TO
discover as mind, told the horse of the
situation as clearly as her ewes. She
called upon him, and he answered she
bowed to the saddle, she shut her eyes
and them
The flames swirled round, they were
wrapped as in winding sheet of them
the red, forked tongues touched them
with blistering kisses the wind roared
through the gigantic furnace, the earth
was hot beneath. the air burning above
deer, wolf, and every creeping thing were
outfooted in the race. were beaten down
by swift death, and how could they
possibly escape?
An Rafxr..,r, ,kapn and the sb.lfarin.r
trees but few rods remained but few
feet. Could they be overcome? Voice
and lash urged the noble horse on. He
struggled to obey, but his efforts were be-
coming feebler his heart was beating
slow, the iron-muscled limbs were fast
becoming useless. \ single burst Of speed
as at the beginning would have been
enongh-the racing Of few seconds ali
that was required.
Frantieally the girl shouted, in despair
she lashed the reeking sides The horse
gathered for supreme effort. reeled,
staggered, fell even as the wind roared
and the fire hissed more savagely
But the impulse had been sufficient TO
carry him beyond the blazing death, and
the bushes closed behind and the trees
rose above and protected them fiom the
scorching shower.
God be thanked" exclaimed the suf-
fering girl as she knelt beside the gall ln,
horse. God be thanked" and she flung
her arms around his neck and shed Bit
ter tears as she saw how scared and
burned he was, regardless of her own
suflerings
With difficulty she urged him to his
feet and led him forward. But he knew
a. we'll as she Of their safety, of the ne
ccSsity of moving, and lamb-like, follow
ei deep into the wood where the cabin
stood.
John, dear John" rang GU, the voice
of the girl
Nellie Great God, is that your was
answered and questioned, and moment
later she was locked within his protect
in ans.
In few words she told all and begged
him 10 do all possible for the horse.
Now and ever" he answered. One
moment" He climbed TO the top of a
tall tree. looked around. descended and
said cheerfully: " The wind has chan
ged the fire is rushing away from the
timber; we are safe here. But why, in
the name of heaven. did you attempt
such desperate chance. Nellie?"